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Tuesday, October 11, 2005

"When Vile Is Honored"

"The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men" (Psalm 12:8).

I really enjoy watching baseball in October and the other night I was flipping through the channels in search of a playoff game. I came across a show where a lady was beating up on someone with a huge white family Bible with the words "Holy Bible" prominently on the cover. The brief dialogue I witnessed was clearly intended to characterize Christians as absolute hypocrites and bozos. I only watched in disgust for a few minutes but it was obviously another cheap attack on Christians.*

Today's Bible text is a stunning observation which we can so easily see all around us.  In so many ways the vile is honored among men. The vile is reckoned as good and is not merely accepted but even honored. The Amplified Bible uses this phrase, "vileness is exalted [and baseness is rated high] among the sons of men."

The ancient statement of the prophet Isaiah is so appropriate.  "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).

When vileness is honored the wicked freely strut about. God's commands are healthy restraints but the nature of sin is to see these restraints as restricting our freedom and pleasure.  When these restraints are removed or ignored the wicked freely strut about. Other versions state, "The wicked strut about on every side."

Today I want to again call my brothers and sisters to obedience to God's commands, "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." (1 Thessalonians 4:7).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Note from Brooksyne - The message today ties in with my devotions earlier this morning.  In studying the book of Revelation the study guide asked me to "List five things I would never have expected to see in my lifetime."  My first answer was that I never expected to see sinful behavior accepted without shame and often displayed a honorable.  Examples are sexual immorality, homosexuality, greed, abortion and the list goes on.  Yes, they've always existed, but when I was young these were sins that were clearly seen as shameful and dishonorable.

Brooksyne's Prayer – Lord Jesus, I never expected to raise my child in the decadent society in which we live.  I know my parents probably thought the same thing when they witnessed the decline of the moral climate in which they raised me.  As I bear my soul to You, Jesus, You know how fearful I am that my child will be tempted to follow in the godless direction the world beckons her.  As much as I try to restrict her exposure to undesirable behavior and teach her what is right and wrong, I know I am limited in my role as a parent.  But, Lord, as I faithfully bring her to You in prayer and as I seek to live a consistent godly life I am doing what You have asked of me.  May the standards of this world never be my guide book.  Instead I desire to embrace and teach the timeless and relevant truths contained in Your Word.  And I will trust You to work in the hearts of those whom I seek to influence for Your Kingdom.  In Your name I pray, Amen.



Scripture contexts used in today's message:
Psalm 12
Isaiah 5:8-30
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8



* I wonder if anyone else saw this segment and if so what network it was on. I regret now I didn't pay attention to what station it was on.  It also occurred to me that if such a vile characterization was made about another group such as Muslims or homosexuals the sensitivity police would be all over them.


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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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